Gov. Paul LePage has signed an emergency measure to temporarily keep confidential the names of Maine residents with permits to carry concealed guns.

The governor signed the measure soon after final House and Senate votes Tuesday. The bill was submitted by LePage, a Republican, and sponsored by Democratic Senate Assistant Majority Leader Troy Jackson of Allagash and Democratic House Assistant Majority Leader Jeff McCabe of Skowhegan.

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"Members on both sides realize that this is really just a measure that provides some breathing room. It enables the committee to work a bill that's before it and sort of takes some pressure off. And it also sends a message to the public that we are listening, we're concerned about this, but we want to go through a thorough process and vet this bill in its entirety," McCabe said.

It comes up days after a Bangor newspaper issued a request for the names last week. The Bangor Daily News later dropped its request.

The emergency measure would only last until April 30, allowing lawmakers more time to consider releases of permit data in more depth.

Lawmakers said their action shows they can work in a bipartisan fashion.

There was little debate on the measure on the floor of the House of Representatives.

However, some in the Senate took exception to the process.

"We are voting for a bill today that would limit the public's right to know and we're doing so without a public hearing. This is a bad public process, precisely because there has not been a public process," state Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, said.

Most lawmakers said they've been inundated with phone calls and emails from their constituents, many of whom are worrying about their safety being put at risk if their names and addresses were made public.

State Rep. Joe Brooks voted against the measure but said he received lots of calls and concerns from his constituents about the bill urging him to vote for it.

One of the co-sponsors said a broader bill that addresses this issue will be debated, and the public will have a chance to speak.

"We understand there is a balancing of fundamental constitution rights here, First Amendment versus Second Amendment, but quite frankly when you're talking about the state of Maine -- which has the second highest gun-ownership rate in the country -- and that goes to the very heart of Maine values. I think that's why this issue has resonated with Maine voters so well," House Republic Leader Ken Fredette said.

State officials said 6,000 concealed firearm permits are issued each year.